Top-three ranking takes Cabot Shores resort by surprise

Cape Breton’s Cabot Shores Wilderness Resort has been named one of the three top hotels in Nova Scotia by USA Today Travel.

Rounding out the top three on the influential travel site’s list are the Prince George Hotel in Halifax and the Pictou Lodge Resort in Pictou.

“It came out of the blue,” Cabot Shores owner Paul Weinberg said Tuesday of the recognition.

“It was a big surprise.”

Cabot Shores, which scored four out of five stars from TripAdvisor.com, offers a “unique and romantic option for visitors,” including ocean views from its lodge, private chalets and farmhouse, said USA Today Travel writer David Harris.

The Indian Brook resort, which prides itself on ecotourism, was cited as a place to go for birdwatching, kayaking, canoeing or simply for peace and quiet.

It is also very to close to the famed Buddhist Gampo Abbey, Harris noted.

Weinberg said the USA Today Travel endorsement indicates that the eight-year-old resort is getting more traffic on its website.

“People are calling and saying, ‘Wow, we didn’t know about you.’.”

The Prince George Hotel is one of the best-rated places to stay in Halifax, with the AAA four-diamond ranking, said USA Today Travel.

The 203-room hotel is also home to the gourmet restaurant Gio and has a 6,800-square-foot meeting space that can accommodate up to 200 people.